Scottish university creates whisky-scented fabric

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A Scottish university announced it has developed a fabric designed to bear the permanent odor of Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky.

Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles & Design said the fabric, developed for textile company Harris Tweed Hebrides and distiller Diageo's Johnnie Walker Black Label brand, bears a permanent scent dubbed "Aqua Alba," which was designed to replicate the odor of a glass of Johnnie Walker.

The school said the "microencapsulation technology" technique of layering the scent into the fabric has previously been used to create therapeutic headwear for cancer patients.

"Smart textiles are a fast-developing sector that offers enormous potential. Our year-long collaboration with Harris Tweed Hebrides is a great example of the ways in which we can help Scottish textile companies to develop their business, add value to their textiles and bring exciting new products to market," said Jim McVee, business development manager at the School of Textiles and Design.

Brian Wilson, chairman of Harris Tweed Hebrides and former British trade minister, said the project was "a very natural partnership of two great Scottish brands with input from one of our cutting-edge academic centers. The more of these partnerships we can promote, the better for the Scottish economy. The early indications are that the finished products are creating a high level of interest in the target markets."